Lid body opening and closing device

ABSTRACT

In order for a lid body  70  to enable to take a closing-lid halfway position in addition to a closed lid position and open lid position, in the open lid position, a whole lid body is housed on the inner side of a design surface by an accessory panel so as to have a flat surface. In the closing-lid halfway position, the lid body  70  projects from the accessory panel and is exposed, so that by a projecting and exposed portion thereof, a closing operation of the lid body  70  is performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a lid body opening and closing device.Especially, the invention relates to a lid body device, especially amanual type opening and closing device for a lid body (lid) of a cupholder, an accessory box, and the like, which are embedded in a centerconsole for an automobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Generally, a lid body of a cup holder, an accessory box, and the like,which is embedded in a center console for an automobile is structured soas to be attached to both right and left side walls of a box-likecontainer main body with an upper part opening by arms integrallyprovided in both right and left sides of the lid body so as to enable torotate around a horizontal axis line. The upper part opening of thecontainer main body is closed with a horizontal condition of the lidbody at an upper side position of the container main body, and from thisclosed position, the lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90degrees to be positioned in a vertical condition, so that the lid bodymoves away from the upper part opening of the container main body andopens the upper part opening (for example, Japanese Patent Documents 1,2).

The lid body with the above-mentioned turning opening and closing typeis preferred to have a flat surface so that the lid body in an open lidstate does not hinder in the vertical position, and also so that, from astandpoint of a design, the whole lid body is housed to the inner sideof a design surface of a center console so that the lid body does notproject to the upper part of the design surface.

On the other hand, there is one structured such that the whole lid bodyis housed inside a container (inside a holder main body) using a linkmechanism (for example, Japanese Patent Document 3).

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication (JIKKAI) No.    H07-37812-   Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application    Publication (TOKKAI) No. 2005-178593-   Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application    Publication (TOKKAI) No. 2006-15791

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

As for one whose whole lid body is housed inside a container using alink mechanism, in an open lid state, the lid body does not project toan upper part of a design surface, and has an excellent design property,and the open lid body does not hinder. However, it becomes difficult tooperate the lid body by directly grabbing the lid body in the open lidstate with the fingertips. Consequently, a mechanism for operating theopening and closing of the lid body has to be separately provided sothat a structure becomes complex.

As for a conventional one with a turning type, the lid body of an openlid can be structured so as not to project to the upper part of thedesign surface. However, when the lid body is housed so as not toproject to the upper part of the design surface, the fingertips cannotdirectly grab the lid body anymore. As a result, a lid closing operationfrom the open lid state becomes difficult. Consequently, in aconventional lid body opening and closing device, it is difficult toprovide both the design and operability at the same time.

A subject that the present invention tries to solve is to provide bothan excellent design and operability at the same time for a lid bodyopening and closing device of a cup holder and the like with a lid whichis embedded in a center console as well as an excellent appearance witha variety of senses.

Means for Solving the Problems

A lid body opening and closing device according to the present inventionis an opening and closing device for a lid body with a turning typewhich takes a closed lid position and an open lid position due to arotation around one axis line, and the opening and closing device forthe lid body with the turning type which takes the closed lid positionand the open lid position due to a rotation around one central axisline. The lid body opening and closing device comprises a lid-openingspring member urging said lid body in an opening lid direction; a firstlatch device locking said lid body in the closed lid position against aspring force of said lid-opening spring member so as to enable torelease; a hop-up movement member attached so as to enable to turnaround the central axis line which is parallel to a rotational axis lineof said lid body; a hop-up movement spring member urging said hop-upmovement member in the same direction as a closing lid direction of saidlid body; and a second latch device locking said hop-up movement memberin a predetermined home position against a spring force of said hop-upmovement spring member so as to enable to release. Said hop-up movementmember engages said lid body which is in said open lid position, and dueto the release of the locking of said second latch device, said hop-upmovement member turns in the same direction as the closing lid directionof said lid body by a spring force of said hop-up movement springmember, and moves said lid body to a closing-lid halfway position.

As for the lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention, preferably, said first latch device and said second latchdevice are respectively constituted by a latch mechanism with analternate type of push-lock and push-open movements, and a pushoperation is performed by pushing said lid body.

The lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention is preferably constituted as follows. Said lid body integrallyincludes arm portions on both right and left sides, and with said arms,said lid body is attached to both right and left side walls of abox-like container main body with an upper part opening so as to enableto rotate around a horizontal axis line. The lid body can rotate betweenthe closed lid position which closes said upper part opening of saidcontainer main body in a horizontal condition at an upper side positionof said container main body; and the open lid position wherein the lidbody is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees from the closedlid position and positioned in a vertical condition at a rear sideposition of said container. An upper surface of a back wall side of saidcontainer main body tilts so as not to interfere with opening andclosing movements of said lid body, and the upper surface of saidcontainer main body has an approximately horizontal surface except forthis portion, and an upper-surface complementary flapper is attached tosaid lid body so as to enable to turn, and said upper-surfacecomplementary flapper becomes an approximately horizontal condition whensaid lid body is positioned in said open lid position, and represents ahorizontal upper surface continuing to the approximately horizontalupper surface of said container main body.

The lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention is preferably constituted as follows. Said lid body integrallyincludes the arm portions on both right and left sides, and with saidarms, said lid body is attached to both right and left side walls of thecontainer main body with the upper part opening including a bottomportion, both right and left side walls, and a front wall so as toenable to rotate around the horizontal axis line. Said lid body canrotate between the closed lid position which closes the upper partopening of said container main body in the horizontal condition at theupper side position of said container main body and the open lidposition wherein the lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90degrees from the closed lid position and positioned in the verticalcondition at the rear side position of said container main body. In theopen lid position, said lid body complements the back wall of saidcontainer main body.

Effects of the Invention

In a lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention, a lid body can take a closing-lid halfway position inaddition to a closed lid position and an open lid position. Accordingly,in the open lid position, the whole lid body is housed on the inner sideof a design surface of an accessory panel so as to have a flat surface,and in the closing-lid halfway position, the lid body projects and isexposed from said accessory panel. As a result, with the projecting andexposed portion, a closing operation of a lid body can be performed.Thereby, with an excellent appearance, both a design and operability canbe improved.

Also, an opening movement of the lid body from the closed lid positionto the open lid position is automatically performed by a spring force ofthe lid-opening spring member only by the latch release of first latchdevices. The movement of the lid body from the open lid position to theclosing-lid halfway position is automatically performed by the springforce of the hop-up movement spring member only by the latch release ofthe second latch device. Accordingly, a user is just required to movethe lid body from the closing-lid halfway position to the closed lidposition, so that the lid body can be user-friendly, excellent in thelevel of safety, and also provide variety of tastes.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A lid body opening and closing device according to the present inventionis used as an opening and closing device for a lid body (lid) 10 of acup holder with the lid embedded in a center console 100 in anautomobile, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 2 to 9 show an embodiment 1 of the lid body opening and closingdevice according to the present invention. In these figures, thereference numeral 20 represents a container main body of the cup holder.The container main body 20 has a shape of a box including an upper partopening 21, and is mounted so as to be embedded inside the centerconsole 100.

On the upper side of the container main body 20, an accessory panel 101forming an upper surface of the center console 100 is disposed. In theaccessory panel 101, a short penetration opening 102 which is positionedon the upper side of the upper part opening 21 of the container mainbody 20 and to which the lid body 10 in the closed lid position fitstogether and is disposed, is formed. The lid body 10 has a short plateshape slightly smaller than the penetration opening 102 of the accessorypanel 101, and with the opening and closing of the upper part opening 21of the container main body 20, the penetration opening 102 of theaccessory panel 101 opens and closes.

The lid body 10 is a turning type, and integrally includes arm portions11 on both right and left sides. The lid body 10 fits into pin axes 23projecting to both right and left side walls 22 of the container mainbody 20 via holes 12 formed in the arm portions 11 so as to freelyenable to rotate. The lid body 10 is attached so as to enable to rotatearound a horizontal axis line which is a central axis line of the pinaxes 23. The lid body 10 can turn between the closed lid position asshown in FIGS. 2, 5 wherein the lid body 10 fits together to thepenetration opening 102 of the accessory panel 101 in a horizontalcondition at the upper side position of the container main body 20 andcloses the upper part opening 21 of the container main body 20, and theopen lid position as shown in FIGS. 3, 7 wherein the lid body 10 isturned and displaced approximately 90 degrees in a counterclockwisedirection around the central axis line of the pin axes 23 from theabove-mentioned closed lid position, and positioned in a verticalcondition at a rear side position (left side of the figures) of thecontainer main body 20.

In the upper surface 24 of the container main body 20, an upper surface(tilted upper surface) 24A of a back wall side (left side of thefigures) has a circular shape tilting so as not to interfere with theabove-mentioned opening and closing movements of the lid body 10. In theupper surface 24 of the container main body 20, the upper surface exceptfor the tilted upper surface 24A is a horizontal upper surface 24B.

Incidentally, as for the present embodiment, in the container main body20, a housing portion 25 is shaped like a twin cylindrical bores (seeFIGS. 3, 6) so as to house two beverage cans, plastic bottles, and thelike without falling them off.

Lid-opening springs 24 comprising torsion springs are attached to pinaxes 23 portions. The lid-opening springs 24 engage the container mainbody 20 and the lid body 10, and are urging the lid body 10 in acounterclockwise direction, i.e., the opening lid direction.

First latch devices 41 are attached to the container main body 20 andthe lid body 10. The first latch devices 41 lock the lid body 10 in theclosed lid position against spring forces of the lid-opening springs 24to enable to release.

The first latch devices 41 are a latch mechanism with an alternate typeof a heretofore known clamp claw system which performs push-lock andpush-open movements, and constituted by latch main bodies 41A attachedto the side walls 22 of the container main body 20 and latch claws 41Bprovided in the arm portions 11 of the lid body 10. Whenever the latchclaws 41B push the latch main bodies 41A due to the turning of the lidbody 10 in a clockwise direction, a pushing operation is performed onthe first latch devices 41, and locking and unlocking are alternatelyrepeated.

In the lid body 10, a thick pushing portion 13 for pushing (pushingdown) the lid body 10 in the vertical condition with one's fingertips,is formed on a rear surface side of a portion which becomes an upperborder in the vertical condition (open lid position).

Using this pushing portion 13, on a rear surface of the lid body 10, anupper-surface complementary flapper 15 is attached by a pivot axis 14 soas to enable to rotate. The upper-surface complementary flapper 15 isurged in a clockwise direction by a torsion spring (not shown), and whenthe lid body 10 is in the open lid position shown in FIGS. 3, 7, theupper-surface complementary flapper 15 becomes an approximatelyhorizontal condition in the upper side position of the tilted uppersurface 24A, and represents a horizontal upper surface continuing to thehorizontal upper surface 24B of the container main body 20.

Specifically, the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 is at the upperside position of the tilted upper surface 24A when the lid body 10 is inthe open lid position, and complements the horizontal upper surface ofthe aforementioned portion. Incidentally, an end border 15A of theupper-surface complementary flapper 15 has a circular arc shape whichcomplements a twin cylindrical bore shape on a tilted upper surface 24Aside of the housing portion 25 in an approximately horizontal condition.

The upper-surface complementary flapper 15 reverses from theaforementioned schematic horizontal condition by abutting against aprojecting cam portion 16 formed in an upper surface portion of thecontainer main body 20 in the process of the movement of the lid body 10in a closing lid direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, theupper-surface complementary flapper 15 is housed so as to overlap therear surface of the lid body 10.

In the housing 20, a yoke-like hop-up movement member 30 is attachedaround the central axis line (horizontal axis line) which is parallel toa rotational axis line of the lid body 10 so as to enable to turn.Specifically, an additional pair of pin axes 26 projects from both rightand left side walls 22 of the container main body 20 in parallel withthe pin axes 23, and holes 32 formed at ends of both right and left legportions 31 of the hop-up movement member 30 fit into these pin axes 26so as to freely rotate. Here, the hop-up movement member 30 turns in thesame direction as opening and closing directions of the lid body 10.

Hop-up movement springs 33 with torsion springs are attached to the pinaxes 23 portions. The hop-up movement springs 33 engage the containermain body 20 and the hop-up movement member 30, and are urging in thesame direction as the closing lid direction of the lid body 10 of thehop-up movement member 30, i.e., in the clockwise direction.

A second latch device 42 is attached to the container main body 20 andthe hop-up movement member 30. The second latch device 42 locks thehop-up movement member 30 in a predetermined home position as shown inFIGS. 2, 5, 7 so as to enable to release the hop-up movement member 30against the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33.

The second latch device 42 is the latch mechanism with the alternatetype of the heretofore known clamp claw system which performs thepush-lock and push-open movements, and constituted by a latch main body42A attached to a back wall 27 of the container main body 20 and a latchclaw 42B provided in a bridge portion 34 of the hop-up movement member30. Whenever the latch claw 42B pushes the latch main body 42A due tothe turning of the hop-up movement member 30 in a counterclockwisedirection, a pushing operation is performed on the second latch device42, and locking and unlocking are alternately repeated.

As shown in FIG. 7, the hop-up movement member 30 in the home positionengages an engagement projection 17 formed on the rear surface of thelid body 10 in the open lid position. Due to the unlocking of the secondlatch device 42, as shown in FIG. 9, the hop-up movement member 30 turnsin the same direction (clockwise direction) as the closing lid directionof the lid body 10 by the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs33, and moves the lid body 10 to a closing-lid halfway position.

Engagement pins 35 fixed into the hop-up movement member 30 engaging camopenings 18 formed with openings in the arm portions 11 of the lid body10 engage corner portions 18A of the cam openings 18, so that theturning in the clockwise direction of the hop-up movement member 30 bythe spring forces of this hop-up movement springs 33 stops. Thereby, theclosing-lid halfway position of the lid body 10 is determined.

The cam openings 18 include returning cam-shaped portions 18B whichreturn the hop-up movement member 30 to the home position against thespring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33 under the engagementwith the engagement pins 35 by the turning of the lid body 10 in theclockwise direction in the process of the movement of the lid body 10from the closing-lid halfway position to the closed lid position.

Next, the opening and closing movements of the lid body 10 according tothe embodiment 1 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, the lid body 10 fits into the penetrationopening 102 of the accessory panel 101 with the approximately horizontalcondition, and in the flat surface condition, the lid body 10 closes theaccessory panel 101. In addition, the lid body 10 is positioned in theclosed lid position blocking the upper part opening 21 of the containermain body 21.

When a portion 10A of the lid body 10 in the closed lid position islightly pushed with the fingertips, the lid body 10 slightly turns inthe clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-openingsprings 24, and the locking of the lid body 10 by the first latchdevices 41 is released. Then, when the fingertips are released from thelid body 10, the lid body 10 turns in the counterclockwise directionaround the central axis line of the pin axes 23 due to the spring forcesof the lid-opening springs 24.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 7, the lid body 10 turns by the spring forces ofthe lid-opening springs 24 until the lid body 10 is turned and displacedapproximately 90 degrees in the counterclockwise direction from theclosed lid position, and positioned in the open lid position with thevertical condition at the rear side position (left sides of the figures)of the container main body 20. In this state, the engagement projection17 of the lid body 10 abuts against the hop-up movement member 30 in thehome position.

The whole lid body 10 is housed on the lower side of the accessory panel101 in this open lid position. Then, the upper-surface complementaryflapper 15 becomes the approximately horizontal condition at the upperside position of the tilted upper surface 24A and represents thehorizontal upper surface continuing to the horizontal upper surface 24Bof the container main body 20.

Accordingly, since the lid body 10 never project upward from theaccessory panel 101 in the open lid position, taking/putting propertiesof the beverage cans and the like out of/in the housing portion 25improve, and a design property improves with the flat surface condition.

Moreover, since the upper-surface complementary flapper 15 with theapproximately horizontal condition provides the horizontal upper surfacecontinuing to the horizontal upper surface 24B of the container mainbody 20, the appearance improves and a holding property of a beveragecan in the housing portion 25 improves as well. Also, a can radius canbe properly replaced by the upper-surface complementary flapper 15.

When the lid body 10 is returned from the open lid position to theclosed lid position, at first, the pushing portion 13 of the lid body 10is slightly pushed downwardly by the fingertips. Then, the movement istransmitted to the hop-up movement member 30, and the hop-up movementmember 30 turns slightly in the counterclockwise direction. As a result,the locking of the hop-up movement member 30 due to the second latchdevice 42 is released.

Thereby, as shown in FIG. 9, the hop-up movement member 30 turns in theclockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 26, andin accordance with this, the lid body 10 turns in the clockwisedirection around the central axis line of the pin axes 26. The lid body10 turns by engaging the engagement pins 35 with the corner portions 18Aof the cam openings 18, and is positioned in the closing-lid halfwayposition wherein a portion 10A side of the lid body 10 hops up on theupper side of the accessory panel 101.

Due to this hop-up movement, the portion 10A side of the lid body 10projects and is exposed on the upper side of the accessory panel 101, sothat by the projecting and exposed portion, a closing operation of thelid body 10 can be performed. This closing operation is performed suchthat the portion 10A side of the lid body 10 in the closing-lid halfwayposition is pushed by the fingertips, so that the lid body 10 turns inthe clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-openingsprings 33, and the lid body 10 returns to an original closed lidposition.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, the first latch devices 41 lock the lidbody 10 in the closed lid position. In the process of the movement ofthe lid body 10 from the closed-lid halfway position to the closed lidposition, due to engagements between the cam-shaped portions 18B and theengagement pins 35, the hop-up movement member 30 returns to the homeposition against the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33,and the hop-up movement member 30 is locked in the home position by thesecond latch device 42.

Due to the above, the closing and opening device of the lid body 10 canprovide an excellent appearance and excel in both the design andoperability.

Also, the opening movement of the lid body 10 from the closed lidposition to the open lid position is automatically performed due to thespring forces of the lid-opening springs 24 only by the latch release ofthe first latch devices 41. The movement of the lid body 10 from theopen lid position to the closing-lid halfway position is automaticallyperformed due to the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 33only by the latch release of the second latch device 42. Accordingly, auser is just required to move the lid body 10 from the closing-lidhalfway position to the closed lid position, so that the lid body 10 canbe used easily, and also provide variety of uses.

Also, since the lid body 10 is returned to the closed lid position by ahand operation of the user, there is less potential for catching afinger when the lid is closed, compared to the case wherein the lid isclosed due to the spring forces produced only by a button operation, sothat the level of safety is improved.

The movement of the opening and closing of the lid body 10 can beperformed at a slow speed with a slow heavy feeling by providing a limitto a turning speed of the lid body 10 using a rotary damper and thelike.

FIGS. 10 to 20 show an embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closingdevice according to the present invention.

A case assembly member 50, a container main body 60 fixed to the caseassembly member 50, a lid body 70 and a pair of right and left hop-uparms 80, are included.

In the case assembly member 50, an upper plate 51 which is the accessorypanel is attached. In the upper plate 51, a short penetration opening 52fitting together to the lid body 70 in the closed lid position, isformed.

The container main body 60 includes a bottom portion 61, both right andleft side walls 62, and a front wall 63, and has an approximately boxshape whose upper portion and back portion are open.

The lid body 70 is a turning type and integrally includes arm portions71 on both right and left sides. The lid body 70 fits into pin axes 64projecting from both right and left side walls 62 of the container mainbody 60 with holes 72 formed in the arm portions 71 so as to enable tofreely rotate. The lid body 70 is attached so as to enable to rotatearound a horizontal axis line which is a central axis line of the pinaxes 64.

The lid body 70 can turn between the closed lid position as shown inFIGS. 10, 12, 15, 16, wherein the lid body 70 fits together to thepenetration opening 52 of the upper plate 51 in a horizontal conditionat an upper part position of the container main body 60, and closes anupper part opening 65 of the container main body 60; and the open lidposition as shown in FIGS. 11, 17, 18, wherein the lid body 70 is turnedand displaced approximately 90 degrees in a counterclockwise directionaround the central axis line of the pin axes 64 from the above-mentionedclosed lid position, and positioned in a vertical condition at a rearside position (left sides of the figures) of the container main body 60.

The lid body 70 complements the back wall of the container main body 60in the open lid position with the vertical condition. Thereby, thecontainer main body 60 constitutes a housing portion 66 with a twincylindrical bore shape together with the lid body 70 so as to house thetwo beverage cans, plastic bottles, and the like without falling.

In pin axes 64 portions, lid-opening springs 67 as the torsion springsare attached. The lid-opening springs 67 engage the container main body60 and the lid body 70, and urges the lid body 70 in thecounterclockwise direction, i.e., in the opening lid direction.

First latch devices 91 are attached to the container main body 60 andthe lid body 70. The first latch devices 91 lock the lid body 70 in theclosed lid position against the spring forces of the lid-opening springs67 so as to enable to release the lid body 70.

The first latch devices 91 are the latch mechanism with the alternatetype of the heretofore known heart cam system which performs thepush-lock and push-open movements, and constituted by heart cam portions91A formed in the side walls 62 of the container main body 60 and pinholders 91B provided in the arm portions 71 of the lid body 70. Wheneverthe pin holders 91B engage the heart cam portions 91A due to the turningof the lid body 70 in a clockwise direction, a pushing operation isperformed on the first latch devices 91, and locking and unlocking arealternately repeated.

On both right and left side portions of the case assembly member 50, thehop-up arms 80, are attached so as to enable to turn around the centralaxis line (horizontal axis line) parallel to the rotational axis line ofthe lid body 70. Specifically, axis holes 53 are formed parallel to thepin axes 64 on both right and left side portions of the case assemblymember 50 integrated with the container main body 60. Pin axes 81 formedin the hop-up arms 80 are fitted into the axis holes 53 so as to enableto freely rotate. Here, the hop-up arms 80 turn in the same direction asthe opening and closing directions of the lid body 70.

Hop-up movement springs 82 by the torsion springs are attached to thepin axes 81 portions. The hop-up movement springs 82 engage thecontainer main body 20 and the hop-up arms 80, and are urging in thesame direction as the closing lid direction of the lid body 10, i.e., inthe clockwise direction.

Second latch devices 92 are attached to the case assembly member 50 andthe hop-up arms 80. The second latch devices 92 lock the hop-up arms 80in a predetermined home position against the spring forces of the hop-upmovement springs 82 as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 so as to enable torelease.

The second latch devices 92 are the latch mechanism with the alternatetype of the heretofore known heart cam system which performs thepush-lock and push-open movements, and constituted by heart cam portions92A formed in the hop-up arms 80 and pin arms 92B attached to the caseassembly member 50 by pivot axes 93 so as to enable to oscillate.Whenever the heart cam portions 92A engage the pin arms 92B due to theturning of the hop-up arms 80 in a counterclockwise direction, a pushingoperation is performed on the second latch devices 92, and locking andunlocking are alternately repeated.

The hop-up arms 80 in the home position engage rib portions 73 of thelid body 70 in the open lid position by pins 83. Due to the unlocking ofthe second latch devices 92, the hop-up arms 80 turn in the samedirection (clockwise direction) as the closing lid direction of the lidbody 70 by the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82, and movethe lid body 70 to the closing-lid halfway position.

The turning in the clockwise direction of the hop-up arms 80 by thespring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82 continues until ribportions 84 of the hop-up arms 80 abut against pins 74 provided in thearm portions 71 of the lid body 70. The closing-lid halfway position ofthe lid body 70 is determined.

Next, the opening and closing movements of the lid body 70 according tothe present embodiment will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 15, 16, the lid body 70 fits into the penetrationopening 52 of the upper plate 51 with the approximately horizontalcondition, and in the flat surface condition, also, the lid body 70closes the penetration opening 52. In addition, the lid body 70 ispositioned in the closed lid position blocking the upper part opening 65of the container main body 63.

When a portion 70A of the lid body 70 in the closed lid position islightly pushed with the fingertips, the lid body 70 slightly turns inthe clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-openingsprings 67, and the locking of the lid body 70 by the first latchdevices 91 is released. Then, when the fingertips are released from thelid body 70, the lid body 70 turns in the counterclockwise directionaround the central axis line of the pin axes 64 due to the spring forcesof the lid-opening springs 67.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 17, 18, this turning continues until the lid body70 is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees in thecounterclockwise direction from the closed lid position due to thespring forces of the lid-opening springs 67, and positioned in the openlid position with the vertical condition at the rear side position (leftsides of the figures) of the container main body 60. In this state, thewhole lid body 70 is housed on the lower side of the upper plate 51, andconstitutes a back wall of the housing portion 66. Also, the ribportions 73 of the lid body 70 abut against the pins 83 of the hop-uparms 80 in the home position.

Thereby, since the lid body 70 never project upward from the upper plate51 in the open lid position, taking-out and putting-in properties of thebeverage cans and the like for the housing portion 66 improve, and withthe flat surface condition, the design property improves.

When the lid body 70 is returned from the open lid position to theclosed lid position, at first, a portion 70B of the lid body 70 isslightly pushed downwardly by the fingertips. Then, the movement istransmitted to the hop-up arms 80, and the hop-up arms 80 turn slightlyin the counterclockwise direction. As a result, the locking of thehop-up arms 80 due to the second latch devices 92 is released.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, the hop-up arms 80 turn in theclockwise direction around the central axis line of the pin axes 81, andin accordance with this, the lid body 70 turns in the clockwisedirection around the central axis line of the pin axes 64. This turningcontinues until the rib portions 84 of the hop-up arms 80 abut againstthe pins 74 of the lid member 70. The lid body 70 is positioned in theclosing-lid halfway position wherein a portion 70A side of the lid body70 hops up to the upper side of the upper plate 51.

Due to this hop-up movement, the portion 70A side of the lid body 70projects and is exposed on the upper side of the upper plate 51, so thatby the projecting and exposed portion, the closing operation of the lidbody 70 can be performed. This closing operation is performed such thatthe portion 70A side of the lid body 70 in the closing-lid halfwayposition is pushed by the fingertips, so that the lid body 70 turns inthe clockwise direction against the spring forces of the lid-openingsprings 67, and returns to the original closed lid position.

Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 10, 15, 16, the first latch devices 91 lockthe lid body 70 in the closed lid position. In the process of themovement of the lid body 70 from the closed-lid halfway position to theclosed lid position, due to engagements between the pins 74 and the ribportions 84, the hop-up arms 80 return to the home position against thespring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82, and the hop-up arms 80are locked in the home position by the second latch devices 92.

Due to the above, the closing and opening device of the lid body 70 canprovide the excellent appearance and excel in both the design propertyand operability.

Also, the opening movement of the lid body 70 from the closed lidposition to the open lid position is automatically performed due to thespring forces of the lid-opening springs 67 only by the latch release ofthe first latch devices 81. The movement of the lid body 70 from theopen lid position to the closing-lid halfway position is automaticallyperformed due to the spring forces of the hop-up movement springs 82only by the latch release of the second latch devices 92. Accordingly,the user is just required to move the lid body 70 from the closing-lidhalfway position to the closed lid position, so that the lid body 70 canbe user-friendly, and also provide variety of tastes.

Also, since the lid body 70 is returned to the closed lid position by ahand operation of the user, there is less potential for catching afinger when the lid is closed compared to the case wherein the lid isclosed due to the spring forces produced only by the button operation,so that the level of safety is improved.

Also, by engaging pinions (not shown in the figures) of the rotarydamper with sector gears 68 formed in the container 60 or sector gears85 formed in the hop-up arms 80, the turning speed of the lid body 70can be limited, so that the lid body 70 can be turned at a slow speedand with a slow heavy feeling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an application of alid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a closed lid state of an embodiment1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an open lid state of the embodiment1 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the closed lid state of the embodiment 1of the lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the closed lid state of the embodiment 1of the lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the open lid state of the embodiment 1 ofthe lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the open lid state of the embodiment 1 ofthe lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a hop-up state of the embodiment 1 of thelid body opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the hop-up state of the embodiment 1 ofthe lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the closed lid state of anembodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to thepresent invention. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the open lidstate of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment 2 of the lidbody opening and closing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a lid body and a containermain body of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the container main body of theembodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of essential parts showing the closed lidstate of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the essential parts showing the closed lidstate of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the essential parts showing the openlid state of the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing deviceaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the essential parts showing the open lid stateof the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the hop-up state of the embodiment2 of the lid body opening and closing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the essential parts showing the hop-up stateof the embodiment 2 of the lid body opening and closing device accordingto the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

-   10 lid body-   11 arm portions-   12 holes-   13 pushing portion-   14 pivot axis-   15 upper-surface complementary flapper-   16 projecting cam portion-   17 engagement projection-   18 cam openings-   20 container main body-   21 upper part opening-   22 side walls-   23 pin axes-   24 lid-opening springs-   25 housing portion-   26 pin axes-   27 back wall-   30 hop-up movement member-   31 leg portions-   32 holes-   33 hop-up movement springs-   34 bridge portion-   41 first latch devices-   42 second latch device-   50 case assembly member 50-   51 upper plate-   52 penetration opening-   53 axis holes-   60 container main body-   61 bottom portion-   62 side walls-   63 front wall-   64 pin axes-   65 upper part opening-   66 housing portion-   67 lid-opening springs-   68 sector gears-   70 lid body-   71 arm portions-   72 holes-   73 rib portions-   74 pins-   80 hop-up arms-   81 pin axes-   82 hop-up movement springs-   83 pins-   84 rib portions-   85 sector gears-   91 first latch devices-   92 second latch devices-   100 center console-   101 accessory panel-   102 penetration opening

1. A lid body opening and closing device for a lid body with a turningtype taking a closed lid position and an open lid position due to arotation around one central axis line, comprising: a lid-opening springmember urging said lid body in an opening lid direction; a first latchdevice locking said lid body in the closed lid position against a springforce of said lid-opening spring member so as to enable to release; ahop-up movement member attached so as to enable to turn around thecentral axis line parallel to a rotational axis line of said lid body; ahop-up movement spring member urging said hop-up movement member in asame direction as a closing lid direction of said lid body; and a secondlatch device locking said hop-up movement member in a predetermined homeposition against a spring force of said hop-up movement spring member soas to enable to release, wherein said hop-up movement member engagessaid lid body which is positioned in said open lid position, and due torelease of the locking of said second latch device, said hop-up movementmember turns in the same direction as the closing lid direction of saidlid body by the spring force of said hop-up movement spring member, andallows said lid body to move to a closing-lid halfway position.
 2. A lidbody opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein said firstlatch device and said second latch device are respectively constitutedby a latch mechanism with an alternate type of push-lock and push-openmovements, and a pushing operation is performed by pushing said lidbody.
 3. A lid body opening and closing device according to claim 1,wherein said lid body integrally includes arm portions on right and leftsides; with said arm portions, is attached to both right and left sidewalls of a box-like container main body with an upper part opening so asto enable to rotate around a horizontal axis line; and enables to rotatebetween the closed lid position which closes said upper part opening ofsaid container main body in a horizontal condition at an upper sideposition of said container main body, and the open lid position whereinthe lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees from theclosed lid position and positioned in a vertical condition at a rearside position of said container, and wherein said lid body isconstituted such that an upper surface of a back wall side of saidcontainer main body tilts so as not to interfere with opening andclosing movements of said lid body, and the upper surface of saidcontainer main body has an approximately horizontal surface except forthis portion, and such that an upper-surface complementary flapper isattached to said lid body so as to enable to turn, and saidupper-surface complementary flapper is positioned in an approximatelyhorizontal condition when said lid body is in said open lid position,and represents a horizontal upper surface continuing to theapproximately horizontal upper surface of said container main body.
 4. Alid body opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein saidlid body integrally includes arm portions on both right and left sides;with said arm portions, is attached to right and left side walls of acontainer main body with the upper part opening including a bottomportion, right and left side walls, and a front wall so as to enable torotate around the horizontal axis line; and enables to rotate betweenthe closed lid position which closes the upper part opening of saidcontainer main body in the horizontal condition at the upper sideposition of said container main body, and the open lid position whereinthe lid body is turned and displaced approximately 90 degrees from theclosed lid position and positioned in the vertical condition at a rearside position of said container main body, and wherein in the open lidposition, said lid body complements a back wall of said container mainbody.
 5. A lid body opening and closing device for a lid body, taking aclosed lid position and an open lid position, wherein in the open lidposition, a whole lid body is positioned so as not to project from adesign surface, and by operating from said open lid position, said lidbody turns to a closing-lid halfway position wherein said lid bodyprojects from said design surface, and from said closing-lid halfwayposition, a projecting portion from said design surface of the lid bodyis operated so that the lid body can be in the closed lid position.